President Harrison denounces disturbing ideologies

JM · May 17, 2023

President Harrison denounces disturbing ideologies

LCMS leaders and congregations reject racist views and instead stand firm on the biblical belief that God loves every human in Jesus Christ.

reporter.lcms.org

I have to ask, why is the President denouncing only "alt right" ideologies and not Leftist ideologies? Who are the "alt right" besides the boogie man of the Left, used as a slur? "The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, its president, vice-presidents and all 35 district presidents, along with its ministerium and congregations..."

Was this passed in some kind of vote or is the Pres taking liberties? Where can I find a list of those who signed this document? This is not a good look for the LCMS if they are only striking to the right and not the left.

Yours,

jm

PloverWing · May 17, 2023

Based on the description that begins in paragraph 3, apparently there was a social media incident in which LCMS members posted attacks and threats based in racist ideology. President Harrison seems concerned that the LCMS might be seen as a racist organization, if these posts go unchallenged, and is thus clarifying that these social media posts do not represent the values of the LCMS. It looks like it's a pastoral letter from the president alone, rather than a committee. (The bishops of my church have issued similar letters on occasion.)

I would guess that a conservative organization like the LCMS has to guard against the violence of the far Right more than it has to guard against the violence of the far Left, because there probably aren't that many far Left members of the LCMS. Nobody's going to mistake the LCMS for a Communist organization, but people might mistake it for a far-Right organization if social media posts are allowed to drown out the voices of people like President Harrison and thoughtful LCMS theologians.

JM · May 17, 2023

The guy was already disciplined and later excommunicated. Seems like overkill.

I don't think I'm cut out for Lutheranism, it's structures and institutions.

Daniel9v9 · May 18, 2023

I'd be glad to have a chat about this, but the short answer is that the LCMS absolutely does reject the ideologies of the far left and far right alike. The reason why this individual was excommunicated is simply that he is an unrepentant sinner who claims to be a confessional Lutheran but is bent on false doctrine and racist ideas. He's not Lutheran. He preaches a different Law and a different Gospel, and so, he was rightly excommunicated, which is the good and responsible thing to do, that he may repent and receive forgiveness.

JM · May 18, 2023

Daniel9v9 said:
I'd be glad to have a chat about this, but the short answer is that the LCMS absolutely does reject the ideologies of the far left and far right alike. The reason why this individual was excommunicated is simply that he is an unrepentant sinner who claims to be a confessional Lutheran but is bent on false doctrine and racist ideas. He's not Lutheran. He preaches a different Law and a different Gospel, and so, he was rightly excommunicated, which is the good and responsible thing to do, that he may repent and receive forgiveness.

Thank you, I appreciate it. I've reached out to my Pastor and hope to chat with him this weekend.

PsaltiChrysostom · May 18, 2023

The Eastern Orthodox churches have also had issues with alt-right individuals promoting a racist form of Christianity. Matthew Heimbach was excommunicated for his various actions and statements by the Antiochian Orthodox Church.

Matthew Heimbach stated that, "As an Orthodox Christian I believe in the separation of races into ethnically based Church’s. That is why even in Orthodoxy there is for instance a Greek, Russian, Romanian, Serbian, etc. Orthodox Church. Regional and racial identity is a fundamental principle of Christianity, must to the dismay of Leftists. I believe black Christians should be in their black Church’s, with black priests, having black kids, going to black Christian schools, etc.”

Heimbach was excommunicated after he hit a protestor during a "S***walk" with an Orthodox cross.

The FBI made the news when they listed Traditional Latin Catholics hosting racists.

IMHO, its not that conservative church bodies are the problem, but that it is attracting some rather unsavory elements. These individuals find others who are sympathetic to their cause in conservative Christianity.

JM · May 18, 2023

I believe that is true. Unbelievers are desperate and see the conservative nature of confessional churches as retaining a semblance of the past so they grab hold thinking it will save them...when only Jesus can. At least we have unbelievers in our proximity.

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President Harrison denounces disturbing ideologies

JM

Confessional Free Catholic